Lubbock- 86 passed away Wednesday, January 6, 2021. Visitation will be held on Friday, January 15, 2021, at 10 a.m. at Southcrest Baptist Church, and celebration of life service will follow at 11 a.m. Interment will be at Peaceful Gardens Cemetery under the direction of Griffin Mortuary. Mrs. Emma was born to the late Johnny and Ara Simmons on October 14, 1934. She married Homer Avery and he was called to pastor at First Progressive Baptist Church. Mother Avery blossomed working with the youth department, ushers, deaconess, hospitality, and wherever she was needed. She was truly Proverb 31 First Lady following the death of her beloved husband, Rev. Dr. Homer L. Avery. She remained faithful to her church as First Lady Emeritus, helping out as much as she could as her health started to decline her, but she still remained faithful. She leaves to cherish her memory; her children, Willie (Janice) Avery, Evelyn (Larry) Lewis, Homer (Virginia) Avery, and Pastor Deshaun (Mary) Avery; brother-in-law, Claude Winston; a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, other relatives, and friends.